124【Etsuko】Give Me The Mic!

By "go-to songs," I mean those reliable favorites you find yourself choosing again and again, depending on your mood or the situation. For me, my choices highly depend on who I'm with. Generally, I pick songs that everyone knows. That said, there are fewer chances to go to karaoke with colleagues since the pandemic, and my mother and other family members are getting older. As a result, lately, I mostly just enjoy karaoke at holiday resorts. I have a specific approach to choosing songs: I carefully observe the other guests—their backgrounds and age groups—as well as the atmosphere before making my selection. Kind of like a private detective! Two years ago, I sang Queen’s "Don't Stop Me Now," and the crowd got really fired up. Also, last year when I sang "Santa Lucia," performing the first verse in Italian and the second in Japanese. It was a huge hit not only with guests from Italy but with travelers from other countries as well! Karaoke is originally from Japan and is somewhat ingrained in Japanese culture. When I travel abroad, I think people sometimes underestimate me because of my small stature. However, after I get on the mic at karaoke, I have them eating out of the palm of my hand. I often bond with people from other countries following karaoke. They look at me with newfound respect, thinking, "Wow, that Japanese lady really knows how to get the party going!”